Support structure for solar panels

ABSTRACT

A support structure for solar panels, including at least one support post having a foot part to be anchored in the ground, a head part situated above the foot part to be connected to at least one solar panel, and a connector that joins the head part and the foot part. The connector has at least one clamping bracket that presses the head part against the foot part, whereby the clamping bracket consists of two bolts provided with a thread and of a connecting strut that joins the two bolts to each other, and whereby the two bolts pass through holes in the head part and through holes in the foot part.

This claims the benefit of German Patent Application DE 10 2012 209 162.9, fled May 31, 2012, and hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The present invention relates to a support structure for solar panels, especially for photovoltaic panels. Such a support structure is equipped with at least one support post having a foot part to be anchored in the ground, a head part situated above the foot part to be connected to at least one solar panel, and a connecting means that joins the head part and the foot part.

BACKGROUND

The state of the art describes support structures that support a plurality of solar panels in a predetermined orientation. Larger solar panel installations, which are also sometimes referred to as “solar parks” or “solar farms”, can extend over varying terrain, so that the support structures have to have constructions that can accommodate and compensate for geometrical irregularities of the terrain.

German utility model DE 203 19 065 U1 discloses a support structure with tiltable and height-adjustable connecting elements. German patent application DE 10 2010 022 914 A1 proposes a support structure having a multi-part post for the height adjustment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a support structure for solar panels having at least one multi-part post that is particularly easy to install, that is inexpensive to manufacture and that, at the same time, is especially reliable and versatile to use.

The present invention provides a support structure that is characterized in that the connecting means has at least one clamping bracket that presses the head part, preferably on the lengthwise side, against the foot part, whereby the clamping bracket consists of two bolts provided with a thread and of a connecting strut that joins the two bolts to each other, and whereby the two bolts pass through holes in the head part and through holes in the foot part.

The head part and the foot part can be braced with respect to each other by means of at least one clamping bracket having the two bolts and the connecting strut, so that they are affixed to each other with a frictional fit and/or with a positive fit. Here, the clamping bracket does not grip around the entire support post. Rather, the clamping bracket is inserted through the holes into the two parts of the support post, that is to say, the clamping bracket only grips around a small section of the head or foot part in question. In this manner, the clamping bracket can be configured to be relatively small and thus inexpensive, even if the post has a relatively large cross section, as is needed, for instance, to ensure sufficient stiffness. On the other hand, the relatively small dimensions of the elements of the connecting means also permit relatively large distances between the two post parts, without resulting in a considerable weakening of the post parts. Since the clamping bracket only surrounds a small section of the post part in question, this can also very easily prevent the clamping bracket from significantly constricting the cross section of the post.

In order to achieve adjustability, it is preferred if the holes for the bolts in the head part and/or the holes for the bolts in the foot part are elongated holes. In particular, it can be provided that the holes for the bolts in the head part are elongated holes that run vertically. This allows a height adjustment of the head part relative to the foot part in a very simple manner. As an alternative or in addition, in order to tilt the arrangement, it is advantageous for the holes in the foot part to be elongated holes that run horizontally. When the horizontal elongated holes are arranged in the foot part, it can be ensured that, during the height adjustment, the height position of the bolts relative to the foot part and thus to the ground remains constant, which can further simplify the installation. The term “elongated hole” as employed in the technical realm can be understood as a slot. The lengthwise sides of the elongated hole are preferably straight and/or they run parallel to each other, while they run in the vertical direction in the case of a vertical elongated hole. The narrow sides of the elongated hole can but do not have to be closed off by semicircles whose diameters correspond to the width of the elongated hole. The holes in the foot part can also be round holes, especially when there is no need to tilt around the y-axis.

The bolts provided with a thread can especially be screws that each have a head. Accordingly, it is particularly preferred for the bolts provided with a thread to each have a screw head that is advantageously firmly joined to each bolt. The screw heads are preferably located on the outside of the support post, especially on the outside of the foot part, and/or they act against the foot part, especially from the outside. This further facilitates the installation. The connecting strut acts appropriately against the head part, namely, preferably from the inside, and/or it is in contact with the head part. In particular, it can be provided that the connecting strut is tightened onto the head part by the bolt and/or that the connecting strut presses the head part against the foot part. The connecting strut can advantageously be located inside the head part.

Another advantageous configuration lies in the fact that the bolts are screwed into the connecting strut. Accordingly, it is particularly advantageous for the connecting strut to have two internal threads which match the threads of the bolts and in which the threads of the bolt are accommodated. In this case, turning the bolt in the connecting strut causes an axial movement of the connecting strut relative to the bolts. This axial movement can press the two parts of the support post against each other.

In particular, it can be provided that the bolts are mounted so as to rotate freely in the holes in the head part and/or in the holes in the foot part. For this purpose, the holes suitably have an internal cross section that is larger than the external cross section of the associated bolt.

A refinement of the invention consists of the fact that the connecting means has two clamping brackets that press the head part onto the foot part and that are preferably situated above each other. As a result, an especially reliable connection can be implemented in which an undesired tilting around the y-axis can be prevented in a particularly effective manner. The second clamping bracket and/or its holes in the head part and in the foot part are advantageously configured analogously to the first clamping bracket. It can be provided that the two clamping brackets are joined to each other by means of a securing strut so as to simplify the manufacture and/or the installation. Together, the two clamping brackets and the securing strut can form a clamping plate.

It is also preferred for the head part of the support structure to be provided with at least one hook for attaching the head part to the foot part. In particular, the hook can be arranged in such a way that it allows the head part to be attached to the foot part in a position in which the holes in the head part are flush with the holes in the foot part. Such a configuration makes it possible to temporarily fasten the head part to the foot part before the clamping bracket is put in place and/or tightened. The hook is advantageously open towards the bottom and/or towards the foot part, and it rests on the foot part. In an embodiment having a very simple construction, the hook can be provided for placement onto the upper edge of the foot part. For purposes of a very simple production, the hook can be configured as a single part together with the head part, for instance, it can be die-cut.

It is likewise preferred that the foot part and the head part each have a cross section with a U-profile having two preferably parallel side legs and a center leg, whereby the center leg connects the two side legs. As a result, a very high level of stiffness can be achieved with very little consumption of material. The head part and/or the foot part can have, for example, a top hat profile, whereby the appertaining U-profile is an integral part of the top hat profile in question.

It can especially be provided that the center leg of the head part is at least indirectly, preferably directly, in contact with the center leg of the foot part. This can improve the stiffness even further. Preferably, the U-profile of the head part is inserted into the U-profile of the foot part. In particular, this can mean that the center leg of the head part is narrower than the center leg of the foot part. The side legs of the head part are preferably longer in the y-direction, in other words, in the direction perpendicular to the center legs and/or in the direction parallel to the bolts, than the side legs of the foot part and/or they project from the foot part in the y-direction.

It is likewise advantageous for the holes for the bolts of the at least one clamping bracket to be situated in the center legs. This makes it possible to counteract an undesired deformation of the post parts when the connecting means is tightened.

In another preferred configuration, a support strut and a carrier strut are arranged on the support post, whereby the support strut is joined, especially articulated, to the head part on the one hand, and to the carrier strut on the other hand, and whereby the carrier strut is joined, especially articulated, to the support strut on the one hand, and to the head part on the other hand. The support strut, the carrier part that runs underneath the support strut and the head part of the post thus form a support triangle on which the solar panels can be arranged.

It is particularly advantageous for the connecting strut to be secured with a positive fit to the head part by means of at least one securing means, for instance, to the holes for the bolts or also to at least one other hole in the head part. As a result, the connecting strut can be pre-affixed to the head part in a pre-installation position in which the bolts are still absent. The securing means can be, for example, a claw or a screw that is arranged on the connecting strut or on the securing strut and that extends behind a hole in the head part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in greater detail below on the basis of preferred embodiments which are schematically shown in the accompanying figures. The figures schematically show the following:

FIG. 1: a perspective view of a first embodiment of a support structure according to the invention,

FIG. 2: the support post of the support structure from FIG. 1, in the area of the connecting means, in a side view,

FIG. 3: the support post of the support structure from FIG. 1, in the area of the connecting means, in a front view,

FIG. 4: the support post of the support structure from FIG. 1, in the area of the connecting means, in a rear view,

FIG. 5: the support post of the support structure from FIG. 1, in the area of the connecting means, in a cross-sectional view,

FIG. 6: views like in FIG. 3, in order to illustrate the height adjustability,

FIG. 7: views like in FIG. 3, in order to illustrate the lateral adjustability,

FIG. 8: a perspective depiction of a second embodiment of a support structure according to the invention, in the area of the connecting means;

FIG. 9: the support post of the support structure from FIG. 8, in the area of the connecting means, in a front view,

FIG. 10: the support post of the support structure from FIG. 8, in the area of the connecting means, in a front view in a pre-installation state in which the bolts of the clamping brackets have not yet been installed; and

FIG. 11: the support post of the support structure from FIG. 8, in the area of the connecting means, in a front view and with all of the bolts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the support structure according to the invention. As can be especially seen in FIG. 1, the support structure has a support post 1 that runs approximately vertically. This support post 1 includes a pillar-shaped foot part 12 that is secured, for instance, in that it is driven and/or cemented into the ground, and of a pillar-shaped head part 11 arranged at the top of the foot part 12, whereby the two post parts 11 and 12 are joined to each other by means of a connecting means or connector 10 that is described in greater detail below.

The support structure has a support triangle, whereby a first triangle leg is formed by a support strut 3, a second triangle leg beneath the latter is formed by a carrier strut 4, and a third triangle leg is formed by the head part 11 of the support post 1. The support strut 3 is fastened, especially articulated, to the head part 11 in the upper area of the head part 11. The carrier strut 4 is fastened, especially articulated, to the head part 11 somewhat further down, namely, specifically in the area of the connecting means 10. The support strut 3 and the carrier strut 4 are joined, especially articulated, to each other on their sides facing away from the support post 1.

The support structure also has at least one, preferably two, parallel lengthwise beams 6 and 7. These lengthwise beams 6 and 7 are fastened to the support strut 3 and, in turn, they support the solar panels 9 (which are only indicated schematically), whereby the solar panels 9 can be fastened to the lengthwise beams 6 and 7, for instance, by means of modular clamps.

As a rule, a support structure will have several support posts that are configured analogously to the support post 1 presented here. The lengthwise beams 6 and 7 then extend beyond several support posts 1 and are fastened to several support posts 1, namely, especially to the support strut 3 of the associated support post 1. Since it is sometimes difficult to precisely orient the foot parts 12 of the support post 1 when the ground is uneven, the connecting means 10 according to the invention make it possible to adjust the head part 11 relative to the foot part 12, especially the height and angular positions of the head part 11 relative to the foot part 12, as is elaborated upon in greater detail below. This allows a compensation for incorrect positioning of the foot parts 12.

As is particularly shown in FIG. 5, the cross section of the foot part 12 has a U-profile with two parallel side legs 82 and 83 as well as a center leg 81. The cross section of the head part 11 also has a U-profile with two parallel side legs 72 and 73 as well as a center leg 71. The U-profile of the head part 11 is accommodated in the U-profile of the foot part 12 in such a way that the U-profiles of the head part 11 and foot part 12 have the same orientation. Here, the two center legs 71 and 81 run parallel to each other and are at least indirectly, preferably directly, in contact with each other. The side legs 82 and 83 of the foot part 12 and the side legs 72 and 73 of the head part 11 project away from the center legs 81 and 71 in the same spatial direction.

As is also shown in FIG. 5, the cross section of the head part 11 still has two outer end flanges 78 and 79 that run parallel to the center leg 71 and that, on the side facing away from the center leg 71, are each arranged on one of the side legs 72 and 73. In this manner, the cross section of the head part 11 has a top hat profile that is formed by the U-profile described above and by the two end flanges 78 and 79. By the same token, the cross section of the foot part 12 has two outer end flanges 88 and 89 that run parallel to the center leg 81 and that, on the side facing away from the center leg 81, are each arranged on one of the side legs 82 and 83. In this manner, the cross section of the foot part 12 has a top hat profile that is formed by the U-profile described above and by the two end flanges 88 and 89.

On their sides facing away from the center leg 71, the side legs 72 and 73 of the head part 11 have a constriction 75 where their spacing is locally reduced (see FIG. 5). This constriction 75 serves to affix the carrier strut 4 with as little play as possible. As is especially shown in FIG. 2, the head part 11 has fastening holes 76 for the carrier strut 4 in this constriction 75.

The details of the connecting means 10 (only roughly indicated in FIG. 1) that connects the head part 11 to the foot part 12 can be seen in FIGS. 2 to 5. As is shown in these figures, the connecting means 10 has two clamping brackets 20 and 20′, whereby, for the sake of clarity, only the first clamping bracket 20 is described in greater detail below. The second clamping bracket 20′, which is arranged vertically underneath the first clamping bracket 20, is configured and arranged like the first clamping bracket 20.

The clamping bracket 20 including two parallel bolts 21 and 22 that are inserted through the foot part 12 and the head part 11, namely, through the appertaining center legs 81 and 71, and includes a connecting strut 23 that joins the two bolts 21 and 22. The bolts 21 and 22 are configured as screws having heads 31 and 32 and they are screwed into the connecting strut 23. The screw heads 31 and 32 are in contact with the outside of the center leg 81 of the foot part 12, and the connecting strut 23 is in contact with the inside of the center leg 71 of the head part 11. When the screws 21 and 22 are tightened, the head part 11 and the foot part 12 are clamped between the screw heads 31 and 32 on the one hand and the connecting strut 23 on the other hand, thus securing them to each other.

As can especially be seen in FIG. 3, the holes 25 and 26 arranged in the head part 11 for the bolts 21 and 22 are configured as elongated holes that run vertically. This makes it possible to affix the head part 11 at different height positions relative to the foot part 12, as is shown in FIG. 6.

As is shown in FIG. 7, the head part 11 can also be affixed relative to the foot part 12 at various angular positions around the y-axis, in other words, around the axis that runs horizontally and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bolts 21 and 22 or perpendicular to the center leg 81. On the one hand, this is achieved in that the holes 45, 46 for the bolts 21 and 22 are configured in the foot part 12 as elongated holes that run horizontally and, on the other hand, this is made possible in that there is play between the adjacent side legs 72 and 82 as well as between the adjacent side legs 73 and 83. The holes 45, 46 that run horizontally in the foot part 12 cannot be seen in FIGS. 1 to 7. However, they are shown in FIG. 10 in conjunction with the second embodiment. There are also appropriately shaped holes in the present embodiment.

Since the entire support triangle is arranged on the head part 11 and the support triangle does not enclose the foot part 12, the entire support triangle can be moved according to the invention in the z-direction and around the y-axis at a single place, namely, at the connecting means 10. Consequently, very little installation and material resources are needed.

As can be seen especially in FIGS. 2 to 4, a hook 50 that is open towards the foot part 12 is provided on the head part 11 and by means of this hook, the head part 11 can be supported on the upper face of the foot part 12 that runs parallel to the head part 11. By means of this hook 50, a technician can attach the head part 11 to the foot part 12 and can then let go of the head part 11 in a position in which the connecting strut 23 arranged in the head part 11 is situated in the area of the holes. The technician can then simply screw the screws 21 and 22 through the foot part 12 and the head part 11 into the connecting strut 23. The technician can subsequently orient the support triangle with respect to the support triangles of the adjacent support posts and can then secure the support triangles by tightening the screws 21 and 22 with a prescribed torque.

In order to further simplify the installation, the connecting strut 23 in its delivered state can already be pre-affixed with a positive fit to the holes 25 and 26 of the head part 11. For this purpose, securing means 100 configured, for instance, as screws, are arranged on the connecting strut 23 (in particular, see FIG. 4), said securing means 100 gripping behind the holes 25 and 26 of the head part 11 on the side of the head part 11 facing away from the connecting strut 23. Corresponding recesses for the securing means 100 are arranged in the foot part 12.

FIGS. 8 to 11 show a second embodiment of a support structure according to the invention. The second embodiment is largely like the first embodiment, so that only the differences from the first embodiment will be elaborated on below. Regarding the other features, reference can be made to the first embodiment.

The second embodiment is especially characterized in that the two connecting struts 23 and 23′ and thus both clamping brackets 20 and 20′ are joined together by means of a holding strut 90 (see FIG. 9). The holding strut 90 extends into the interior of the head part 11 vertically from one connecting strut 23 to the other connecting strut 23′. Together, the connecting struts 23, 23′ and the holding strut 90 form a screw plate. The connecting struts 23, 23′ are wider than the holding strut 90, so that the screw plate has the shape of a double T.

Also in the case of the second embodiment, there is a securing means 101 to at least temporarily secure the connecting strut 23 to the head part 11. In the second embodiment, the securing means 101 is formed by a screw that is screwed into the securing strut 90. Since the securing strut 90 connects the two connecting struts 23 and 23′, the securing means 101 secures both connecting struts 23 and 23′ at the same time. The securing means 101 is inserted through the head part 11, whereby the screw head of the securing means 101 and the securing strut 90 are each arranged on sides of the head part 11 that face away from each other. A hole through which the screw head of the securing means 101 can pass is provided in the foot part 12.

During production, the connecting struts 23 and 23′ can be screwed onto the head part 11 by means of the securing means 101. The securing means 101 holds the screw plate consisting of the connecting struts 23 and 23′ and of the securing leg 90 in the correct position, so that the technician can screw the bolts 21, 22, 21′, 22′ through the holes 45, 46, 25, 26 into the connecting struts 23 and 23′ without a great deal of positioning work once the head part 11 has been attached to the foot part 12 by means of the hook 50.

Once at least one of the bolts 21, 22, 21′, 22′ has been screwed into one of the connecting struts 23 and 23′, the technician can loosen and remove the securing means 101. A corresponding hole is provided in the foot part 12 for this purpose. Subsequently, the height (z-position) can be adjusted as described in conjunction with the first embodiment. Preferably, the securing means 101 can also be screwed directly into the connecting struts 23 and/or 23′, and/or it has the same specification as at least one of the bolts 21, 22, 21′, 22′, so that one of the bolts 21, 22, 21′, 22′ can be formed by the removed securing means 101. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A support structure for solar panels, the support structure comprising: at least one support post, the support post having a foot part to be anchored in the ground, a head part situated above the foot part to be connected to at least one solar panel, and a connector joining the head part and the foot part, the connector having a clamping bracket pressing the head part against the foot part, the clamping bracket including two bolts provided with a thread and a connecting strut joining the two bolts to each other, the two bolts passing through head part holes in the head part and through foot part holes in the foot part.
 2. The support structure as recited in claim 1 wherein the head part holes are elongated and run vertically, and the foot part holes are elongated and run horizontally.
 3. The support structure as recited in claim 1 wherein the bolts each have a screw head arranged on an outside of the foot part.
 4. The support structure as recited in claim 1 wherein the bolts are screwed into the connecting strut.
 5. The support structure as recited in claim 1 wherein the connector further includes a second clamping bracket pressing the head part against the foot part, the clamping bracket being situated above the second clamping bracket.
 6. The support structure as recited in claim 5 wherein the clamping bracket and second clamping bracket are joined together by a holding strut.
 7. The support structure as recited in claim 1 wherein the head part has at least one hook for attaching the head part to the foot part.
 8. The support structure as recited in claim 1 wherein the foot part and the head part each have a cross section with a U-profile having two side legs and a center leg, the center leg of the head part being in contact with the center leg of the foot part, and/or the holes for the bolts of the at least one clamping bracket are situated in the center legs.
 9. The support structure as recited in claim 1 further comprising a support strut and a carrier strut are arranged on the support post, the support strut being joined to the head part and to the carrier strut, and the carrier strut being joined to the support strut and to the head part.
 10. The support structure as recited in claim 1 further comprising a securing device descuring the connecting strut with a positive fit to the head part. 